Joshua 2 describes Israel’s spying out Jericho by the two spies that were sent by Joshua. Jericho was a fortified and powerful city and is the nation’s first challenge in the conquest of the Promised Land. The spies select Rahab’s house as their place to lodge and from there to conduct their reconnaissance. Rahab hid the two men among the flax on her roof when the king of Jericho sought their arrest. The city of Jericho was in a state of high alert with Israel’s recent great conquests and the fact the city is likely to be Israel’s next point of attack. Rahab feigns ignorance of the spies’ whereabouts and tells the pursuers to swiftly pursue them that as have just left the city. In verses 8-11 Rahab tells of Yahweh’s might and that without doubt He is the only true God. This she did prior to her hiding of the spies. Hebrews 11 verse 31 comments on her faith as the source for her motivation. James 2verse 25 says that her faith moved Rahab to act and by this she was justified. After the king of Jericho’s men depart Rahab reminds the spies of the oath that they swore to her. A token of the covenant is the binding of a scarlet rope, by which the spies were let down the city’s wall, being left suspended in Rahab’s window. Follow the theme of the scarlet thread through the Bible and you will be amazed (start with
Genesis 38:28). Rahab gives the spies advice on how to evade Jericho’s hostile pursuers. For their part the spies declare that the oath will be honoured. The spies are greatly encouraged by the sign of victory that their mighty God has given them and they confidently say to Joshua that the LORD of hosts has given them the land

Isaiah 8 tells of the prophet’s wife bearing him a second son – Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – whose name means: “in speeding to the spoil the enemy hastens against the prey”. This name spoke of the imminent Assyrian invasion of Immanuel’s land. Isaiah says that when this happens and the mighty waters of the river will overflow and fill the breadth of the land almost swallowing the nation as those waters will be up to Judah’s necks. In its path the Assyrian river would sweep away the kingdoms of Syria and Israel. Why would the Almighty bring such devastating destruction? It was because of Judah’s refusal to heed the gentle and beseeching waters of Shiloah – meaning peaceful. Shiloah (and its variants) speak of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9verse 6;
Genesis 49 verse 10). The New Testament instructs us to hear the voice of Jesus as the Father commands: “This is My Son, hear him”. Failure to hear will incur certain judgment as Isaiah 8:9-10 and Hebrews 2 verses 1-4 outline.
Verses 11-15 encourage the remnant not to be overwhelmed by fear, but rather to trust in the living God who will deliver the faithful who revere Him. Verse 13 is alluded to by Peter who applies the words to the life and speech of the faithful pilgrims in 1 Peter 4verses 15-19. Verses 16-22 conclude
Isaiah 8 by explaining the role of the disciple: to give heed to our Sovereign’s Word and setting it as a seal upon our heart. Christ is our great example in this matter as
John 6 verse 27; Revelation 14verses 1-5 teach us. Judah was a confused nation who were to their shame hearkening to the mystifying wizards who had no understanding in the matters that related to life and death. In listening to those whose teachings fog the minds of the children of God will lead to certain and deserved judgement.

1 Thessalonians 3 verses 1-5 Paul tells us of the sufferings that the Apostle experienced in Athens. Next Paul informs his readers of the great encouragement and comfort that Timothy brings him; and it is the news of the Thessalonians’ magnificent response to the gospel. Note how the chapter finishes – read aloud verses 12-13 and pause, and ponder. Chapter 4 speaks of how pleased God and Paul are with the way that the believers are living their lives as a witness to their faith and to their trust in God and His Son. The love the Macedonian believers show to each other is evidence that they have learned what God’s Word teaches. They needed to keep working until the Lord Jesus’ return. These believers did, however, have a wrong view about the order of events after the Lord’s return. The living believers will have no time advantage over those faithful who had fallen asleep in Christ ie died. Verses 13-18 describe what happens at Christ’s return to the earth. Jesus will come with angels and the trumpet of God (1 Corinthians 15 verses 52-53). Those believers who are alive when he comes will be caught up together with those believers who have been raised from the dead, into a great cloud of witnesses (see Hebrews 12 verses 1-2). These believers will be caught into the air ie aerial, in the sense that, together with their Lord Jesus Christ, they will be the rulers (or those elevated to be in authority) over the people of the earth – ie the subjects of that coming kingdom. What a comfort to those who are now suffering persecution.